Cape Coral FL vs Lake Charles LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cape Coral, FL
Florida · Population: 206,387
- Median HH Income$76,062
- Median Home Price$339,638
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 81,679 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 4.7% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 47.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 4.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $56,864 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $35,847 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $55,297 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 23.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 61.1% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 643 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2824 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 45.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.7% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 18.0% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cape Coral scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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